Skywriting: Mother's Day gifts and tips

Fair warning: this weekend is Mothers Day! It's the Hallmark holiday designated to honor and celebrate Mom, selfless, hard-working and often under-appreciated.

Skywalker

Fair warning: this weekend is Mothers Day! It's the Hallmark holiday designated to honor and celebrate Mom, selfless, hard-working and often under-appreciated. Almost every mother will give her children the traditional response of “It's the thought that counts” in regards to gift-giving, whether its flowers, candy or a homemade coupon book good for chores and the sort. Below are some of my ideas for Mother's Day gifts that may be different and make Mom smile a bit more.

First, do not get her a kitchen appliance unless she really enjoys cooking and considers it more of a hobby and a pleasure than a weekday chore. The newest high-end vacuum cleaner is not a gift that Mom can necessarily enjoy in her downtime. If she is the person that keeps house it is more of a tool of the trade than anything special. But a nice gift Mom can really enjoy is a gift certificate toward a house-cleaning service. If a service comes in the home and does a cleaning while mom uses that free time for herself, it's a win-win. Cleaning services do a great job and a deep clean and can make Mom smile and put her feet up not having to clean the dreaded toilet bowl. merrymaids.com.

One of the most picturesque places in the Hudson Valley, and a place that I have mentioned many times in Skywriting, is Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison. The Sunday after Mothers Day, May 19, Boscobel hosts a food and wine festival. There will be many restaurants, wineries and breweries on site with samples in a tented area of the gardens. Tickets are only $35, and if you are considering Boscobel as a wedding venue, complete a walk-through before the festival. Tickets are only $25. Information on the event and tickets can be found at boscobel.org.

Many salons and spas offer massage and pampering services. The environment in which you send Mom is just as important as the pampering services themselves. A spa in a strip mall may not have the same appeal as a location such as Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa in Milton. It is a 75-acre estate on the banks of the Hudson River. After your manicure, pedicure or massage, you can grab lunch at the onsite Farm to Table Bistro. There are gardens and farm animals plus walking trails, all for Mom's enjoyment. Info at buttermilkspa.com.

A great economical idea for a gift Mom will enjoy is a picture calendar custom designed by the kids. It's a gift that Mom will get to enjoy all year, giving her 12 opportunities to smile. Your local office supply store like Staples, as well as multiple sites online, allows you to submit your own photos and organize them as you wish into a monthly calendar. Birthday months and holiday months can be decorated any way you wish. It's easy, homemade, useful and meaningful. A perfect gift that is affordable that Mom will appreciate.